It is complex however the relationship between fuel, food and water and the use of will give much debate into the future as all Three decline. Amazing the UN has not recognised this relationship earlier and the likelyhood that the UN can convince governments to convince companies to abandon the concept of a free market forces is not going to happen.

The reason beef feedlot produces like corn brewers grain is that it contains lots of protein and I do not think sugar beet would be comparable. Ch2 Landline had infomation on this on Sunday. Feedlot farms fit in with the American concept of big factory farms.

Tried to find the landline article but unable to. Like I said Scanlon, corn brewers grain is almost completely protein. Whether it be a chook broiler farm producing birds for the table or a beef feedlot protein is what gives the animals muscle/meat and corn residue is good for doing this. This also allows the big companies to control the feed market for producers. Sugar beet and cane residue do not contain much protein.

Whether it be water, fuel or food one can be converted to the other. With water you can grow more food. Fuel can be used to create more usable water etc. Government changes to the use of water are more likely to have a greater impact on food production than the use of biofuels in Australia.